20 Day Cruise from Lima to Quito

Fantastic treasures await you on this river cruise vacation to Peru and the Galapagos Islands. Enjoy a walking tour of Lima; guided sightseeing in Quito, where you can have your photo taken at the "Center of the World," and also in Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire; and an excursion to Otavalo's famous Indian market, where you can shop for beautiful textiles, artwork, and other unique souvenirs. Also, visit the fascinating Inca constructions of ancient Puca Pucara, which translates to "Red Fortress," the magnificent Temple of Sacsayhuaman, which overlooks the city of Cusco, the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, and mystical Machu Picchu. Then, fly to San Cristobal Island for a fantastic 4-night Galapagos Islands cruise onboard the recently refurbished Treasure of Galapagos. In the company of a local Naturalist, you'll encounter indigenous plants and animals found only in the Galapagos Islands, such as giant tortoises, Galapagos fur sea lions, and marine iguanas-just to name a few. Also, enjoy an amazing opportunity to snorkel in the turquoise waters and see the colorful fish, sea lions, and perhaps a penguin or shark!

Next, fly to Coca, where you'll travel by canoe to your lodge in the Amazon Jungle. Spend three nights here and enjoy a rainforest canopy walk, guided night tour to see the wildlife that comes out at night, cruises through the flooded forest, and spend time with the natives on a visit to a local village and school. Ancient ruins, spectacular scenery, an amazing variety of animals in their natural environment, and historic buildings-this cruise vacation has it all!

It's about you. You are the reason we've used our 85-plus years of travel expertise to design the very best small-ship cruising experience. Inspired by you, we've taken everything special about small-ship cruising and made it even better. Here are some of the features and amenities you'll experience with Avalon.

Day 18 Amazon: cruise on the Napo through the flooded forest; visit a local community, school, and village; piranha fishing

Day 19 Amazon-Coca-Quito: return to Coca; fly to Quito

Day 20 Quito: your vacation ends this morning

Meals

American breakfast daily

11 lunches

12 three-course dinners including a welcome dinner in Lima and a farewell dinner on board the Treasure of Galapagos

Complimentary wine with all dinners on board

Complimentary coffee, tea, and water on board throughout the day

Notes

Maximum elevation on tour: 11,200 ft.

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Lima

Welcome to Lima. This "City of Kings" was once the capital of Spain's South American empire.

Day 2Lima

Today, your Local Guide focuses on the city's colonial heritage during a WALKING TOUR. Start at the Plaza de Armas to see the Government Palace and the Cathedral, where the remains of Francisco Pizarro, founder of Lima, are housed. From here, stroll to the venerable SAN FRANCISCO MONASTERY with its splendid 17th-century cloister murals. This evening, visit the LARCO HERRERA MUSEUM, housing an impressive collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian artifacts, followed by a special welcome dinner at the museum with your fellow traveling companions hosted by your Tour Director. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3Lima-Cusco-Sacred Valley

Fly to Cusco, the impressive Andean city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Continue into the Sacred Valley to AWANAKANCHA, a local favorite, and learn the importance of the alpaca (llama) for Inca cultures, as well as the ancient weaving techniques still in use today. Next, visit PISAC, an old mountain village where you enjoy free time in the town center to browse the local market and colorful stalls where vendors sell their handicrafts, ranging from fine alpaca sweaters and blankets to hand-painted ornamental dishes and vases. Enjoy a relaxing dinner at the hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4Sacred Valley-Machu Picchu

This morning, visit the Inca fortress of OLLANTAYTAMBO, followed by a Local Favorite visit to a LOCAL HOME to meet some native Incans and experience their way of life. Next, board the Vistadome TRAIN for a short journey through the lush Urubamba Valley, then ascend to legendary MACHU PICCHU, the "Lost City of the Incas," discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. Your Local Guide will bring you closer to the lives and mysteries still hidden in these amazing structures built by the pre-Columbian masters of this sacred land. Return to your deluxe hotel in Aguas Calientes at the base of the mountain where Machu Picchu is found for dinner full of impressive culinary delights. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5Machu Picchu-Cusco

Your entrance to Machu Picchu is included for a second day. Enjoy the tranquility of the morning while wandering the ruins at your own pace and experiencing the magic that is Machu Picchu. After lunch, return to Ollantaytambo by train and continue to Cusco. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6Cusco

Today, learn more about the Incas and their struggle against the invading Spaniards. Visit the imposing CATHEDRAL and the SANTO DOMINGO MONASTERY on your guided tour. Next, see the semi-circular Kenko Amphitheater with its stone altars and labyrinth of passages and the ancient site of Puca Pucara before reaching the TEMPLE OF SACSAYHUAMAN, perched on a hillside overlooking Cusco. It remains unfathomable how and when this fortress of gigantic stones-with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons-was built. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7Cusco-Quito, Ecuador

Fly to Quito, capital of Ecuador and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, and begin the Ecuadorian portion of your vacation. Enjoy an included dinner upon arrival tonight. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8Quito. Excursion to Otavalo

An in-depth experience into the traditional ways of the Otavalo people is in store for you today. First, visit OTAVALO'S famous INDIAN MARKET, full of textiles, clothes, vegetables, and much more. Next, in Peguche, famous for its exquisite weavings, you have the opportunity to visit homes and observe handicrafts being made. Finally, enjoy Andean delicacies prepared the traditional way at a HACIENDA-HOSTED LUNCH and Local Favorite before returning to Quito. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 9Quito

Your Local Guide introduces this city on an included sightseeing tour that showcases its treasures: the historic stone murals of the Legislative Palace, Independence Plaza and the 16th-century SAN FRANCISCO MONASTERY, and the Jesuit's LA COMPANIA CHURCH with its stunning golden altars. Next, take a walk down one of Quito's oldest streets, La Ronda, which is home to many artist's workshops and galleries. Here, you will have the chance to meet some of the local artists and talk with them about their work before visiting a CHOCOLATE FACTORY to learn why Ecuador is considered one of the finest chocolate producers in the world. After seeing the chocolate-making process, a tasting is a must! Top off your day with a photo in front of the EQUATORIAL MONUMENT in the "Middle of the World." Stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously and test the effects of the earth's rotation through different experiments like balancing an egg on a nail. (Breakfast)

Take a morning flight to San Cristobal, one of the remote Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival, board the Treasure of Galapagos and enjoy five days of CRUISING among various Galapagos Islands. Each day, travel ashore to the remote islands with your expert Naturalist, who introduces you to the unique fauna living free and fearless of man. Giant tortoises, Galapagos fur sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, frigates, and finches are just some of the many endemic species you will find on land. You will also have the chance to snorkel in the turquoise waters with colorful tropical fish, playful sea lions, and maybe even an equatorial penguin or shark! This afternoon, travel into the highlands of SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND and visit the CERRO COLORADO TORTOISE RESERVE, where you will learn about the island's giant tortoise population and conservation efforts in place to help preserve and breed these endangered species. At the reserve, you can spot songbirds, such as the yellow warblers, the endemic Galapagos large-billed flycatchers and the Chatham mockingbird (unique to this island), that put Darwin on track of his evolution theory. Return to your boat and settle in with a briefing on the next day's adventure, followed by a Captain's welcome cocktail and dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

NOTE: The ship's itinerary may vary according to Galapagos National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, and seasonal changes to create the perfect cross-section of sites visited.

Day 11Galapagos Islands Cruising: Española Island

Today, join your Naturalist for excursions to Gardner Bay and Punta Suarez on ESPAÑOLA ISLAND in the southeastern section of the archipelago. In the morning, visit GARDNER BAY with its striking white coral beach teeming with playful Galapagos sea lions. Galapagos hawks, hood mockingbirds, marine iguanas, and the three species of Darwin finches are also commonly spotted here. This is a prime spot for snorkeling to see the colorful reef fish, reef sharks, and the Pacific green turtles who come here to breed. After lunch, visit PUNTA SUÁREZ where you will find sheer cliffs and a spectacular blowhole that sprays a fountain of seawater high into the air. This site is also home to the waved albatross who come here to breed and raise their young from March to December. This site also serves as a massive breeding ground for Nazca and blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and red-billed tropicbirds. Keep an eye out for male marine iguanas who turn bright green and red during mating season which has given them the nickname, Christmas iguana. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12Galapagos Islands Cruising: Floreana Island

After breakfast, disembark at FLOREANA ISLAND to visit historic Post Office Bay, which has been serving as a post office since the 18th Century. The "post office" is just a barrel where letters are left with the hope that other visitors returning home will take letters if the addressee is not far from their own and deliver them or drop them at a normal post office. Next, explore the island's channels by panga or take your first swim with the playful sea lions. This afternoon, join your Naturalist at CORMORANT POINT on Floreana Island in search of greater flamingos, blue-footed boobies, and sea turtles. There is another opportunity for snorkeling to see reef fish, turtles, and even rays! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 13Galapagos Islands Cruising: Santa Fe & Santa Cruz Islands

Wake up at Barrington Bay on SANTA FÉ ISLAND, home to one of the most ancient volcanoes in the Galapagos and many animals that can only be found on this island. A walk with your Naturalist reveals a forest of giant prickly pear cacti called opuntia. The endemic land iguanas found here, and only here, feed on the cactus which makes up about 80% of its diet. Other endemic species found here include the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, and Galapagos mockingbird. You may also snorkel with playful sea lions and tropical fish here. Your afternoon visit brings you to Tortuga Bay on SANTA CRUZ ISLAND, which is a nesting site for the Pacific green turtle, marine iguanas, and even the giant Galapagos tortoises. Return to your boat for a final evening on board and a farewell dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 14Galapagos Islands (Disembarkation) Santa Cruz-Quito

After breakfast, disembark in SANTA CRUZ ISLAND and travel to the highlands to visit EL CHATO TORTOISE RESERVE, where you have the opportunity to see the Galapagos giant tortoises roaming in the wild. Most of their long lives is spent grazing slowly and silently, except for a warning hiss, or loud screams during mating, which can be heard from afar in the first half of the year. Subsequently, females leave the highlands and descend all the way down to the beaches to dig holes and lay their eggs. It is estimated that about 32,000 tortoises live in the wild in the entire archipelago. Continue to the airport for your return flight to Quito. (Breakfast)

Day 15Quito

Enjoy a free day to explore Quito. (Breakfast)

Day 16Quito-Coca-Amazon

Fly from Quito to Coca and travel by boat down the Napo River to a small tributary where you transfer to a DUGOUT CANOE for the remainder of your journey to your Amazon lodge. Floating along the narrow river, discover the Ecuadorian Amazon, the world's largest remaining tropical rainforest, where more life hums, buzzes, chatters, and bubbles than anywhere else on the planet. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 17Amazon

Early this morning, your Naturalist brings you to a parrot clay lick where you can see parrots, macaws, parakeets, and other species feeding. Continue with a walk through the jungle and learn of the medicinal plants and immense biodiversity that have been used by the native cultures for hundreds of years. Tonight, accompany your Naturalist on a night WALK or CANOE ride to discover creatures rarely seen during the day-you many even spot a caiman or two! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 18Amazon

This morning, depart on a Napo River CRUISE through the flooded forest in search of the varied wildlife. Here, you will have a good chance of seeing troops of squirrel, capuchin, and howler monkeys, and maybe even the incredibly well-camouflaged 3-toed sloth. Later, visit a local community, school, and village, and spend some time with the natives to learn about their culture and way of life. Finish your day fishing for piranhas or even taking a refreshing swim in the same waters-the less brave can send their guide in first. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 19Amazon-Coca-Quito

Depart by canoe this morning in search of monkeys, giant otters, and rare birds on your return to Coca, where you will board your flight to Quito. (Breakfast)

Dates & Prices do not include air travel. Participation in this vacation requires purchase of the following flights from Avalon Waterways, not included in pricing: (1) roundtrip air from your U.S. gateway, starting at $2,089, (based on Miami, departure in January, 2018) and intra-vacation air segments; or (2) intra-vacation air segments only. Required intra-vacation air segments are: Lima/Cusco; Cusco/Quito; Quito/Galapagos; Galapagos/Quito. Air prices were effective on April 5, 2017 and their availability is limited. At the time you purchase your tour, air prices may be higher.

The Galapagos National Park entrance fee and transit card ($120 value) is additional and mandatory. These fees will be added to your Vacation Estimate.

Price is per person, based on double room occupancy.

Gratuities to Local Guides & drivers are included.

Single Room Supplement: from $4,635 to $5,005

Triple rooms are not available.

Prices shown include cruise in an ocean-view junior suite with private balcony. To upgrade to the master suite, add $500 per person in double occupancy or $1,000 in single occupancy.

Extra Nights per person in Lima: in single room $183; in twin room $98

Extra Nights per person in Quito: in single room $206; in twin room $108

2019 prices and itineraries are subject to change.

Prices shown are "starting at" prices and do not include airfare.

Travel Terms & Conditions The purchase of any travel services offered by Avalon Waterways, constitutes a contractual arrangement between you (the Traveler) and Avalon Waterways, and represents your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand the Terms & Conditions prior to booking. These Terms & Conditions cover Deposit & Final Payment information, Air-Inclusive Deposits & Final Payment, Revisions & Revision Fees, Air Arrangements, Participation, Travelers Who Need Special Assistance, Young Travelers, Smoking, Price Policy, Visas and Passports, Hotels & Accommodations, Baggage Allowance, Travel Documents, Not Included in the Land Price, Refunds, Service Inquires After the Vacation, Holidays, Safety, Photos & Pictures, Optional Excursions, and Responsibility.

The following charges are not included in the land/cruise vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; intra-vacation air, unless specified in the itinerary; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security fee up to $11.20 per person, passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $4.10 per segment, and U.S. and international arrival and departure and other government-imposed added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Avalon menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature.

Additional airline-imposed fees for seat assignments may apply and are not included in your total package cost. Please refer to carrier websites for seat assignment policies and applicable pricing.

Booking your Vacation with Air Our volume buying power saves you money. We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city. Avalon Waterways offers 2 air options: Flex Air and Instant Purchase Air. Early Airfare Price Guarantee locks in a price that is guaranteed not to increase. Air pricing and schedules are available approximately 330 days prior to last travel date in the itinerary. At that time the best air price will be utilized and a new invoice with the air cost and confirmed schedule will be sent. The identity of the carrier, which may include the carrier's codeshare partner, will be assigned and disclosed at this time. If the guaranteed price is the lowest, the schedule with the lowest fare per contracted classes of service will be booked. Any voluntary change to the confirmed flights negates the guaranteed price and is subject to air pricing at the time of the change.

Guaranteed air-inclusive prices - air is only available to passengers traveling from the United States and only available when booked in conjunction with a land vacation. An additional non-refundable air deposit of $300 per person is required for Flex Air booked in conjunction with any land vacation (i.e. air-inclusive vacation). Air can only be booked by Avalon in conjunction with a vacation package. Instant Purchase Air requires air payment in full at time of booking (i.e. air-inclusive vacation) plus a non-refundable per person service fee of $30 (North/Central America), $50 (Europe/Middle East) or $80 (all other international destinations). Once booked, Instant Purchase Air is non-refundable, and non-changeable. Some vacations may only offer one Air type option. However, once your airfare is confirmed and Avalon has received your full air and land deposit, your air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed.

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